Integration of fixed wireless terminal with broadcast radio receiving devices

ABSTRACT

A system comprising: a broadcast radio receiving device configured to receive and provide broadcast audio-visual signals; and a fixed wireless terminal apparatus coupled to the broadcast radio receiving device, wherein the fixed wireless terminal apparatus manages and controls characteristics of the broadcast audio-visual signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/180,104, filed Jul. 12, 2005 which claims the benefit ofpriority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/658,996 entitled “Integration of Fixed Wireless Terminal withBroadcast Radio Receiving Devices”, filed Mar. 4, 2005. Benefit ofpriority of the filing dates of Mar. 4, 2005 and Jul. 12, 2005 is herebyclaimed, and the disclosures of the applications are hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND

In telecommunications, the final drop from the local telephone exchangeto a subscriber's terminal or private exchange is known as the “localloop”. Conventionally, this final drop includes a network of copper-pairlines, which are expensive to install and to maintain. In sparselypopulated areas with low telephone penetration, this approach isinpracticable. Wireless Local Loop (WLL) is a recent alternative to thecopper-line network.

In WLL, a wireless system makes up all or part of the transmission pathbetween the subscriber and the local exchange, and typically usesmicrowave, cordless or cellular technologies. Thus, the wireless systemin WLL is particularly suitable for reducing the cost of the local loopin remote or rural areas. However, in contrast to mobiletelecommunications, fixed wireless terminals are fixed and do not act asmobile terminals.

Typically, such a fixed wireless terminal (or WLL terminal) includes atransceiver including an RF section for receiving and transmitting RFsignals and a baseband section for converting between RF and basebandsignals for interfacing with a subscriber device; an interface forconnecting the subscriber device to the fixed wireless terminal; asubscriber line interface circuit for providing network dependentcharacteristics such as the tones (e.g., ringing, dial, busy signal,etc.) which, in a fixed network, are conventionally provided by thelocal exchange; an external power supply; and an antenna. The subscriberdevice typically includes a telephone and/or a fax machine.

A broadcast radio receiving device, such as an AM/FM/TV radio ortelevision set, typically includes an antenna and a receiver forreceiving an AM/FM/TV or television signal. However, conventionalbroadcast radio receiving devices are configured to be manually tuned toreceive the signal and manually adjusted to vary audio and/or videolevels.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, apparatuses, andmethods for integrating the fixed wireless terminal with broadcast radioreceiving devices so that characteristics of the broadcastaudio/video/text signals generated by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver canbe controlled by the fixed wireless terminal.

In one implementation, a system is disclosed. The system includes: abroadcast radio receiving device configured to receive and providebroadcast audio-visual signals; and a fixed wireless terminal apparatuscoupled to the broadcast radio receiving device, wherein the fixedwireless terminal apparatus manages and controls characteristics of thebroadcast audio-visual signals.

In another implementation, a fixed wireless terminal apparatus isdisclosed. The apparatus includes: a broadcast radio receiving deviceconfigured to receive and provide broadcast audio-visual signals; and afixed wireless terminal operating to manage and control characteristicsof the broadcast audio-visual signals, wherein the broadcast radioreceiving device is integrated into the fixed wireless terminal.

In another implementation, a method for integrating a fixed wirelessterminal with a broadcast radio receiving device is disclosed. Themethod includes: configuring a broadcast radio receiving device toprovide broadcast audio-visual signals; coupling a fixed wirelessterminal to the broadcast radio receiving device; and managing andcontrolling characteristics of the broadcast audio-visual signals fromthe fixed wireless terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed wireless terminal system in which a fixedwireless terminal apparatus is coupled to a broadcast radio receivingdevice.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram of the fixed wirelessterminal system showing details of the fixed wirelesscontroller/interface module and the input/output signals between theAM/FM/TV radio receiver and the controller interface module.

FIG. 3 shows a method for controlling and managing characteristics ofthe broadcast audio/video/text signals generated by an AM/FM/TVbroadcast receiver.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a method for controlling and managingcharacteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated byan AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, apparatuses, andmethods for integrating the fixed wireless terminal with broadcast radioreceiving devices so that characteristics of the broadcastaudio/video/text signals generated by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver canbe controlled by the fixed wireless terminal. The control signals aregenerated in response to the call status (e.g., muting the signal volumewhen a call comes in) of the fixed wireless terminal. Further, inputsfor controlling the audio/video/text signals can be entered through theexisting keypad on the fixed wireless terminal so that integration doesnot require any hardware modification of the fixed wireless terminal.

The term “fixed wireless terminal” as used in this disclosure refers toa telecommunication apparatus that provides telephone service, where allor part of the transmission path between the subscriber and the localexchange is wireless. Typically, the terminal provides telephone serviceconnection so that the subscriber device, such as a standard telephone,can be connected to the terminal. However, in some implementations, theterminal can be configured so that the telephone is integrated into theterminal. Various implementations of the present invention areillustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed wireless terminal system 100 in which a fixedwireless terminal apparatus 110 is coupled to a broadcast radioreceiving device 160. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, thebroadcast radio receiving device 160 is configured as an AM/FM radioreceiver coupled to the terminal 110. In this example, the broadcastaudio and/or text signals are transmitted over AM and FM carriers. Inanother example, the broadcast audio and/or text signals are transmittedusing a satellite. In yet another example, the broadcast audio and/ortext signals are transmitted using a wide-area network such as theInternet.

In another example, the broadcast radio receiving device 160 isconfigured as a television set coupled to the terminal 110. In thisexample, the system 100 can be configured to display the video on adisplay 170, or configured to output only audio from the television setto an audio module 150.

In yet another example, the broadcast radio receiving device 160 isintegrated into the fixed wireless terminal 110 as a single unit. In yetanother example, the broadcast radio receiving device 160 receives textmessages over radio carriers such as an AM or FM carrier. The textmessages, sometimes referred to as tickers, can be displayed on adisplay 170.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the fixed wireless terminalapparatus 110 includes a fixed wireless radio transceiver 120, a fixedwireless controller/interface module 130, a keypad 140, and an audioelement 150. The keypad 140 includes numeric keys as well as functionkeys. The audio element 150 includes a speaker and a microphone. Inother implementations, the keypad 140 includes other elements such as ajoystick or a jog dial; and the audio element 150 includes otherelements such as an earphone. In a further implementation, the fixedwireless terminal apparatus 110 includes other user interface elementssuch as a display.

The AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 is configured to be coupled to the fixedwireless terminal 110 through a connector 112, which provides signalconnection between the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 and the fixedwireless controller/interface module 130. Thus, the connection enablesthe controller/interface module 130 to control and manage differentcharacteristics of the broadcast audio-visual signal from the AM/FM/TVradio receiver 160 using control signals. Further, thecontroller/interface 130 can adjust the characteristics of the broadcastaudio-visual signal in response to an indication signal from theAM/FM/TV radio receiver 160.

In another implementation, as mentioned above, the AM/FM/TV radioreceiver 160 can receive text messages (i.e., tickers) over radiocarriers such as an FM carrier and can display the tickers on a display170.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram of the fixed wirelessterminal system 100 showing details of the fixed wirelesscontroller/interface module 130 and the input/output signals between theAM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 and the controller interface module 130.Input signals include control signals including an on/off control, aband or station select, a frequency control, a loudness control, and asquelch setting. Output signals include indicator signals.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the controller/interface module130 is represented as two modules: a modem and controller module 200 anda codec/analog switch/amplifier module 210.

Typically, the modem enables transmission of data over telephone lines.Furthermore, if the data to be transmitted is processed and stored inthe telephone as digital data, then the modem operates to convert thedigital data into analog form before transmitting the data over thetelephone line. The codec (i.e., the coder/decoder) encodes or decodes asignal. For example, typical telephones used codecs to convert tonesinto analog signals. The analog switch is used to switch between modes,such as between an input mode using a microphone 222 to an output modeusing a speaker 220.

The keypad 140 provides softkey control to program the controller 200.The softkey control allows keys on the keypad 140 to change functiondepending on the current task of the terminal 110. Thus, in one example,the keypad 140 is used to program the controller 200 so that theAM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 is turned on at a programmed time. The useof the keypad 140 on the fixed wireless terminal 110 allows control andintegration of the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 with the fixed wirelessterminal 110 without any substantial hardware design change. Onlyfirmware of the fixed wireless terminal 110 needs to be modified.

Although the illustrated implementation of FIG. 2 shows the keypad 140,the display 170, the speaker 220, and the microphone 222 as being partof the fixed wireless terminal 110, the modules 140, 170, 220, 222 canbe shared with the AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver 160. For example, thekeypad 140 can be used to tune the receiver 160 to a desired station;the display 170 can be used to display the video portion of the receiver160; the speaker 220 can be used to output the audio portion of thereceiver 160; and the microphone 222 can be used to input voice signalinto the receiver 160.

In another example, the controller 200 is programmed to control thevolume from the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160. Therefore, controlling andmanaging different characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/textsignal involves programming the modem/controller module 200 using thekeypad 140 so that the module 200 generates “smart” control signals.These “smart” control signals are derived from control parameters thatdirect the codec/analog switch/amplifier module 210 to control andadjust the characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signalreceived at the codec/analog switch/amplifier module 210. The module 210then receives or transmits the result to the elements, such as a speaker220, a microphone 222, and a display 170, and controls thecharacteristics of the received or transmitted audio/video/text signals.For example, a control parameter directs the codec/analogswitch/amplifier module 210 to decrease the volume level of the audiosignal when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 3 shows a method for integrating a fixed wireless terminal with abroadcast radio receiving device. The method includes configuring thebroadcast radio receiving device to provide broadcast audio-visualsignals, at 300. The fixed wireless terminal is coupled to the broadcastradio receiving device, at 302. Then, at 304, characteristics of thebroadcast audio-visual signals are managed and controlled.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a method for controlling and managingcharacteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated byan AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver 160. Initially, the status of theAM/FM/TV receiver 160 is determined at 400. If it is determined, at 402,that the receiver 160 is on, then a determination is made, at 404,whether saved control parameters are available. If the saved controlparameters are available, then the receiver 160 is configured with thesaved control parameters, at 406. Otherwise if the saved controlparameters are not available, then the receiver 160 is configured withthe default parameters, at 408.

Further, a determination is made, at 410, whether the handset of theterminal 110 is off the hook. If the handset is off the hook, then thecurrent parameters of the receiver 160 are saved, at 412, and theaudio/video/text of the receiver is set to the “off-the-hook” level, at414. For example, if the handset is off the hook, the volume of thereceiver 160 is set to the “off-the-hook” level of “low”. Otherwise, ifthe handset is not off the hook, a check is made, at 416, to determineif there is an incoming call. If there is an incoming call, then thecurrent parameters of the receiver 160 are saved as last savedparameters, at 418, and the receiver 160 is configured for an incomingcall state with appropriate control parameters, at 420. Otherwise, ifthere is no incoming call, then the receiver 160 is reset with the lastsaved parameters, at 422.

An example of a “smart” control signal derived from the controlparameter includes a control signal that controls the broadcast audiosignal so that the audio signal turns off during a phone conversation.Another example of a “smart” control signal includes a control signalthat controls the broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal turnsoff automatically when there is an incoming call, an outgoing call,and/or when the handset is off the hook.

Another example of a “smart” control signal includes a control signalthat controls the broadcast audio signal so that the volume of the audiosignal is reduced or turned off when the phone conversation is on hold,a three-way calling is being set up, or a call is being forwarded.Another example of a “smart” control signal includes a control signalthat controls the broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal isinserted into the transmit-audio pass of the fixed wireless terminalautomatically or manually during an on-hold mode, when a three-waycalling is being set up, or when a call transfer is being made. Anotherexample of a “smart” control signal includes a control signal thatcontrols the broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal is used asa ring tone automatically or manually. Another example of a “smart”control signal includes a control signal that controls the broadcastaudio signal so that the audio signal is used as a ringer sound or otheralert sound according to the user's set up. Another example of a “smart”control signal includes a control signal that controls the broadcastaudio signal so that the audio signal is turned on automatically togenerate alert sound per timer setup programmed by the user. Anotherexample of a “smart” control signal includes a control signal thatcontrols the broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal is turnedon automatically to provide special music or sound (e.g., a religiousmusic) at a programmed time.

Other examples of “smart” control signals include a control signal thatcontrols the broadcast video signal so that the displayed video signalis silhouetted when an incoming call, an outgoing call, and/or ahandset-off-the-hook signal is detected, and caller identificationinformation is to be displayed on top of the displayed video signal.

Various implementations of the invention are realized in electronichardware, computer software, or combinations of these technologies. Mostimplementations include one or more computer programs executed by aprogrammable computer. For example, in one implementation, the methodfor controlling and managing characteristics of the broadcastaudio/video/text signals generated by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiverincludes one or more computers executing software implementing thecontrol and management processes. In general, each computer includes oneor more processors, one or more data-storage components (e.g., volatileor non-volatile memory modules and persistent optical and magneticstorage devices, such as hard and floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, andmagnetic tape drives), one or more input devices (e.g., mice andkeyboards), and one or more output devices (e.g., display consoles andprinters).

The computer programs include executable code that is usually stored ina persistent storage medium and then copied into memory at run-time. Theprocessor executes the code by retrieving program instructions frommemory in a prescribed order. When executing the program code, thecomputer receives data from the input and/or storage devices, performsoperations on the data, and then delivers the resulting data to theoutput and/or storage devices.

Various illustrative implementations of the present invention have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will see thatadditional implementations are also possible and within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, while the above description describesseveral examples for controlling and managing characteristics of thebroadcast audio signal, characteristics of other broadcast signals suchas video and text signals can be controlled and managed by thecontroller in the fixed wireless terminal.

Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to only thoseimplementations described above.

1. A system comprising: a broadcast radio receiving device configured toreceive and provide broadcast audio-visual signals; and a fixed wirelessterminal apparatus coupled to said broadcast radio receiving device,said fixed wireless terminal apparatus operating to manage and controlcharacteristics of said broadcast audio-visual signals.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said broadcast radio receiving device includes an AM/FMradio device.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said broadcastaudio-visual signals include text messages transmitted over an FMcarrier.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein said broadcast audio-visualsignals include audio signals transmitted over AM and FM carriers. 5.The system of claim 2, wherein said broadcast audio-visual signalsinclude audio and/or text signals transmitted using the Internet.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said broadcast radio receiving deviceincludes a television set.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:a display configured to display said broadcast audio-visual signals. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein said characteristics of said broadcastaudio-visual signals include a volume level of said audio-visualsignals.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said characteristics of saidbroadcast audio-visual signals include a carrier frequency of saidaudio-visual signals.
 10. A fixed wireless terminal apparatuscomprising: a broadcast radio receiving device configured to receive andprovide broadcast audio-visual signals; and a fixed wireless terminaloperating to manage and control characteristics of said broadcastaudio-visual signals, wherein said broadcast radio receiving device isintegrated into said fixed wireless terminal.
 11. A method forintegrating a fixed wireless terminal with a broadcast radio receivingdevice, the method comprising: configuring a broadcast radio receivingdevice to provide broadcast audio-visual signals; coupling a fixedwireless terminal to said broadcast radio receiving device; and managingand controlling characteristics of said broadcast audio-visual signalsfrom said fixed wireless terminal.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: coupling an audio-visual module to said fixed wirelessterminal.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said managing andcontrolling includes processing the characteristics of said broadcastaudio-visual signals directed to said audio-visual module.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, wherein said managing and controlling includescontrolling an audio portion of said audio-visual signals so that saidaudio portion turns off during a phone conversation.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein said managing and controlling includes controlling anaudio portion of said audio-visual signals so that said audio portionturns off automatically when there is an incoming call, an outgoingcall, and/or when a handset of said fixed wireless terminal is off thehook.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controllingincludes controlling an audio portion of said audio-visual signals sothat the volume of said audio portion is reduced or turned off when aphone conversation is on hold, a three-way calling is being set up, or acall is being forwarded.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein saidmanaging and controlling includes controlling an audio portion of saidaudio-visual signals so that said audio portion is inserted into atransmit-audio pass of said fixed wireless terminal automatically duringan on-hold mode, when a three-way calling is being set up, or when acall transfer is being made.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein saidmanaging and controlling includes controlling an audio portion of saidaudio-visual signals so that said audio portion is turned onautomatically to provide special music or sound at a programmed time.19. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controllingincludes determining whether said broadcast radio receiving device isturned on.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising determiningwhether saved control parameters are available when said broadcast radioreceiving device is turned on.
 21. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising configuring said broadcast radio receiving device with saidsaved control parameters when said saved control parameters areavailable.
 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising configuringsaid broadcast radio receiving device with default control parameterswhen said saved control parameters are not available.
 23. The method ofclaim 20, wherein said saved control parameters include a control signalthat controls said broadcast audio-visual signals so that an audioportion of said audio-visual signal turns off automatically when thereis an incoming call.
 24. The method of claim 19, further comprisingdetermining whether a handset of said fixed wireless terminal is off thehook.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising determining whetherthere is an incoming call on said fixed wireless terminal if saidterminal is not off the hook.